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Studies on the Impact of Shrimp Farming on Mangrove and Estuarine Environment of Cox’s Bazar

Dr. S.B. Shaha
Senior Scientific Officer
Marine Fisheries and Technology Station, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Cox's Bazar

Md. Nurul Islam
Scientific Officer
Marine Fisheries and Technology Station, Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Cox's Bazar

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Before inception of shrimp culture, 2400 ha mangrove areas were destroyed during 1966-75 period. Maximum destruction (about 70%) was made in Chakoria Sundarbans area. Shrimp culture operation shared about 84% of the total destroyed mangrove. The remaining 16% was destroyed by paddy cultivation, embankment construction, cattle grazing, fire wood, cyclone and erosion. Most of the species in Chakoria mangrove forest has been destroyed. There were ten species of mangrove plant in this area before and after 1975. Except Avicenia sp, Soneratia apetala and Acanthus sp., all other species have been destroyed. Due to plantation, some new species have become available in Teknaf and Moheshkhali upazilla. The study showed aquatic environment will not be polluted due to discharge of shrimp farm effluent at least in extensive system of culture. Moreover, the quality of farm effluent was better than that of the water of the adjacent waterbodies in Chakoria. Due to deposition of different organic material during culture period, organic matter and nutrient contents were higher in pond soil and increased with the progress of culture period.

Keywords: Shrimp farming, Mangrove, estuarine

Location: Cox's Bazar

Start Date: 01-07-2002

End Date: 30-06-2003

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Shrimp

Objectives:

To study the environmental degradation of mangrove ecology (in terms of mangrove destruction, soil erosion, water quality etc.) of the Cox’s Bazar coast caused by shrimp farming, to assess the environmental effects on major penaeid shrimp nursery ground in Cox’s Bazar coastal area, to enlist the available fish and shrimp fauna in the project area, and to identify the specific cause and extent of erosion of biodiversity of the mangrove species in the south east region of the country.

Methodology:

Information regarding the status and destruction of mangrove due to shrimp culture and other activities has been collected through questionnaire and compiled information. Destruction of mangroves in Cox’s Bazar district is an old age practice. The existing mangrove area in Cox’s Bazar region is 5,800 ha. But, it is supposed that this area should be 23,254 ha which includes 11,044 ha planted forest during 1975-99 and 12,210 ha forest area existed in 1974. Physicochemical characteristics of water and soil samples of the shrimp farms and the adjacent water bodies were studied to determine the impact of release of shrimp farm effluent on the adjacent aquatic water bodies. Water (farm effluent), which was about to release out from the farms and soil samples have been collected from the extensive shrimp culture farms at monthly intervals. Simultaneously, water (influent water) and soil samples have also been collected from the adjacent riverine system. The collected water and soil samples were analyzed following standard methods.

Source of Information: Annual Research Program 2002-03. BFRI, Mymensingh.

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

1. Government

Budget: One lakh

Total Budget (Tk.) : One lakh

Achievement/Findings:

Associated with this rapid increase in the production of shrimp, there has been conversion of mangrove to shrimp ponds. But impact of destruction of mangroves due to shrimp farming has not been assessed. Though opinions have been forwarded by different sectors that shrimp culture practice may pollute the aquatic environment through discharge of pond effluent. But it can be surmised from the comparison of water and soil quality data between shrimp culture farm and adjacent water body that aquatic environment will not be polluted due to discharge of farm effluent at least in extensive system of culture. Of course, shrimp farming causes degradation of coastal environment through destroying mangrove plants.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings